Flowers at Lago d’Antorno. This little lake is mostly famous for its pictoresque bridge but last spring the wildflowers stole the show. If I hadn’t taken the time to put down the camera and walk along the lake shore I would have never spotted this composition.

This June I had the pleasure of guiding clients on a tour through the eastern Alps. While teaching them about landscape photography, I spotted one common mistake that can easily ruin your shots for an entire trip. And no, it has nothing to do with camera settings!

We all know the feeling: You’ve arrived at a beautiful photo spot and the conditions look amazing. Right time, right place; it feels like nothing can stand in the way of capturing a great photo. Giddy with excitement you immediately grab the camera and start shooting. Later however, when it’s time to select and edit the photos, you come away disapointed. None of the compositions seem to work and somehow the whole scene feels flat and boring. What went wrong?

You’re not the only person that has these problems. When I first started out in photography, this happened to me many times. In fact, it still happens to me on occasion, especially when I I’m excited to visit a new photo spot. The remedy however is easy: Think before you shoot, rather than shoot before you think. During a field trip it’s very easy to get carried away to the point that there’s no thought process behind your shots. This is why, when guiding clients, I’m always the last person to grab the camera. Instead, I’ll tell my clients to slow down and take their time to look for a good composition.

Ask yourself the following questions:

To make the most of out any shoot, I recommend you to slow down and ask yourself the following questions:

What makes this place so special?
What elements are standing out in the scene?
What will my subject be?
What kind of foreground and background can I use here?

On top of these fundamental questions, I also think about the following:

How does this location make me feel?

What feelings do I want to convey with my photography?
How do I convey these feelings through my photos?

Explore the location

Sunset at Passo Giau. This famous view attracts many a photographer. Most people, however, photograph the sunset from a viewpoint perched on top of a hill. Although this delivers great views of the pass, you miss out on a beautiful foreground of *Alpenrosen*. By exploring the area I found this foreground, adding greatly to the overall composition.

Whenever possible I try to arrive early on location so that I have plenty of time to walk around finding an answer these questions. Many of my favourite compositions came from wandering around a photo spot, trying to think of ways to show how grand, special or beautiful the scenery was. This wandering is one of my favourite parts of landscape photography.

When wandering around, I always look for what I call interesting elements. Oftentimes, these are things such as a river or a stream, wildflowers, interesting trees, interesting rock formations, rock pools, reflections in a lake or pond, tree roots, a pretty hiking trails, wooden bridges, mountain huts or waterfalls. These interesting elements can help elevate your photo above the mundane. They can also serve as a great foreground, background or even your main subject.

🌄 Join Me on a Photo Tour in the Alps

Join my on my Autumn photo tour to the Dolomites if you want to photograph this amazing place!

If these photos inspire you, why not take the next step and experience the Alps through your own lens?

On my all-inclusive photo tours, I’ll take you to my favourite hidden gems and classic viewpoints, all while teaching you everything I know about landscape photography. Thanks to my local knowledge and years of experience, you'll be in the right place at the right time—with the right composition.

🏞️ What to Expect:

✅ Stay in epic hotels and remote mountain huts, just steps away from stunning photo opportunities
✅ Discover underrated and off-the-map locations for truly unique compositions
✅ Learn how to master composition, lens selection, and light in real-world conditions

Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned shooter, these tours are designed to take your photography to the next level while enjoying unforgettable views and alpine adventures.

More information & booking

In conclusion

So next time you come upon a great photo spot, don’t immediately grab your camera. Instead, think before you shoot. Explore the area while asking yourself how to convey the beauty or grandeur of the place. Look for interesting elements and a powerful subject to build your photo around. And then, when you have visualized your composition, it’s finally time to grab the camera.